LANSING, MI – The last time unemployment was this low, a gallon of gas cost $1.50, and Britney Spears and 'N Sync were burning up the radio waves.

The latest batch of unemployment numbers from Michigan's Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives shows the Muskegon County unemployment rate hit 5.5 percent in October 2014. According to the state's database, that's the lowest it was since October 2001, when the jobless rate touched 5.4 percent.

While the rate itself might be influenced by holiday-season hiring, it's a milestone of improvement for the local economy.

"The rate is as low as it's been in some time," said Muskegon Area First President Ed Garner. "It really does speak volumes that our economy is back on track."

October's unemployment rate of 5.5 percent is down half a percentage point from 6.1 percent in September and 8.6 percent 12 months ago, in October 2013.

Not adjusted for seasonal fluctuations, Muskegon County's jobless rate of 5.5 percent is dead even with the nationally non-adjusted rate of 5.5 percent, and significantly below a statewide rate of 6.4 percent.

Among Muskegon's 83,700 workforce, 79,100 are employed and 4,600 are jobless while actively seeking employment.

"More people are finding employment opportunities," Garner said. Like other economic developers, in Michigan, he worries about a shortage of skilled labor needed by firms.

The bureau keeps record of jobs data for the Muskegon-Norton Shores statistical area, which encompasses Muskegon County. Local jobless rates come from surveys of households conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and don't reflect the percentage of people applying for jobless benefits.

Newaygo County

October 2014 was similarly favorable for Newaygo County, where unemployment bottomed out at 5 percent – again, the lowest for 13 years. In October 2001, the rate was 4.7 percent.

"I don't know exactly when the recession ended," said Andy Lofgren, Executive Director of the Newaygo County Economic Development Office. But he remembers 2010 was a low point, with 12.5 percent unemployment.

"Now we're four years into this recovery, and we're starting to see its effects on the labor market," Lofgren said.

Lofgren gave credit to Newaygo County businesses for sticking with the community through the recession. Over the last 14 years, businesses have invested more than $308 million in the local economy by way of improvements to plants and equipment, he said.

The county's industrial powerhouses are Magna Mirrors in Newaygo and the Nestle-owned Gerber Products in Fremont, Lofgren said. The 2008 tax exemption creating an Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zone for Gerber helped the company stay in the area, he said.

Oceana County

In Oceana County, the October 2014 labor rate was 6.2 percent, the lowest it's been since 6 percent in 2006, according to state data.

Muskegon-area butcher's ranked among nation's best

EGELSTON TOWNSHIP, MI -- Bacon or sausage? It's that old breakfast conundrum that John Drummond just may have found an answer for.

Michigan's bacon king has invented bacon sausage, which is just one of his wildly popular specialties.

"I can't keep it in my case," said Drummond, owner of John Drummond's Butcher Shop in Egelston Township. "It's like having bacon and sausage at the same time."

Other Drummond specialties such as asparagus cheddar brats, bacon cheese brats, jerky dip and beef sticks have won over loyal customers at his shop on Apple Avenue west of Maple Island Road. He's also a regular at the Muskegon Farmer's Market on Saturdays and the Grand Haven farmer's market on Wednesdays, saving meat lovers from having to make the trip to Egelston.

But it's his bacon that has put Drummond on the map.Bacon Scouts, whose mission is to find the best bacon in the country, has ranked Drummond 11thin the nation -- the only Michigan butcher shop in the list of the country's top 13 bacon producers. Five each are from Wisconsin and Minnesota, while Iowa and South Dakota each have one producer on the list.

Bacon Scouts has bacon ranking down to a science. It grades bacon on a scale of one to five stars in four separate categories: robust flavor, shrinkage, fat-to-meat ratio and saltiness. Drummond's bacon earned four stars for fat-to-meat ratio and three stars in the other categories.

Drummond said the bacon is his granddad's recipe. Part of the secret to its goodness is that after the pork bellies are cured, they're smoked twice. Another important factor is that the hogs are local, from Coopersville, and are grain-fed and hormone-free.

"We sell a lot of it," Drummond said of his bacon. "Doctors, lawyers -- they love it."

Drummond is a fourth-generation meat cutter, and worked in various meat markets. He had worked for Dana Corp. for 10 years before he decided to open his own butcher shop in 2006.

He may be a good butcher, but he's also a smart business man. He brings a frying pan with him to the new Muskegon Farmer's Market, where the smell of cooking bacon is hard to resist.

MUSKEGON, MI – Three Muskegon businesses were recently recognized as up-and-comers at a statewide ceremony held at Michigan State University's Breslin Center.

From left: Dave Spaulding, president of Smart Vision Lights, Matt Pinter, Engineering Manager, Smart Vision Lights, Susan Pinter, Jill Batka, president of Dynamic Conveyor Corporation and Eric Ringelberg, CEO of NeXt I.T. pose with their awards at the 10thAnnual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Ceremony in East Lansing on May 6.

Dynamic Conveyor Corporation, Smart Vision Lights and NeXt I.T. were all included as three of the top 50 companies to watch at the 10thAnnual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Ceremony.

Dynamic Conveyor Corporation, located at 5980 Grand Haven Road, was officially formed as a corporation in 1991 by Curtis Chambers. It is now owned and operated by Chambers' daughter Jill Batka and designs conveyors specifically for food processing and packaging.

Smart Vision Lights, located at 2359 Holton Road, is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-brightness LED lights for industrial applications.

"We are very pleased to be honored with this award and recognition," said David Spaulding, president of Smart Vision Lights in a press release. "Our staff is dedicated to continuously improving our products and processes so that our customers and partners can remain successful and we can contribute to our state's continued economic growth."

NeXt I.T., located at 423 W. Norton Ave., offers computer support to a wide variety of companies including small businesses, non-profits and schools. It has four locations throughout Michigan including Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Sturgis. Its CEO is Eric Ringelberg.

Winners of the Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Ceremony were selected by Michigan-based judges from banking, economic development, entrepreneurship development and venture capital communities.

Jobs up, unemployment rate down for Muskegon County in March numbers

Jobs up, unemployment rate down for Muskegon County in March numbers

Brother and sister, Halbert Stegall, 30, and Sontra Stegall, 27, of Muskegon work to fill out digital job applications at a job fair Tuesday, April 29 in Muskegon Heights. Muskegon County's unemployment rate has in improved to 7.9 percent in March 2014.(Stephen Kloosterman/MLive.com)

MUSKEGON, MI – Muskegon County's total number of non-farm jobs and its unemployment rate both showed improvement during the month of March.

The Muskegon-Norton Shores Metropolitan Statistical Area – which encompasses the county – had its unemployment rate drop significantly to 7.9 percent. The county also added a few hundred jobs, according to numbers for March released by theMichigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.

The numbers aren't adjusted for seasonal fluctuations in the jobs market. The percentage of people in the workforce who are jobless went down, despite a surge in the number of people looking for work.

In the spring, "more people get back into the job market," said Ed Garner, president of the economic development group Muskegon Area First. "I think that's what you see there." He said that people entering the workforce could include college students looking for summer jobs.

At 7.9 percent, Muskegon County's unemployment rate is down slightly from 8.3 percent the previous month, and more than a percentage point from 12 months before, in March 2013, when the rate was 9.4 percent.

The county's March rate of 7.9 percent compares to a statewide rate of 8 percent and a nationwide rate of 6.8 percent.

"In early 2014, the majority of the state's local labor markets continue to show solid over-the-year improvement," said Jason Palmer, director of Michigan's Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.

In a survey of households, 76,600 people reported being employed – 400 more than the previous month and 2,200 more than 12 months before.

Garner said much of the job growth was likely in the hospitality industry, as tourism-related businesses wound up for the summer months. But there also have been a significant number of retail hires -- 70-80 part- and full-time employees were hired withthe opening of Gordman's Department Storein Norton Shores, he said.

Best Places for Homeownership in Michigan

Michigan is surrounded by the enormous Great Lakes and offers
many impressive public universities. The state boasts a rich automotive
history, the unmistakable Motown sound and the multitalented Eminem. If you
want to relocate to the Wolverine State, or you currently reside in one of its
two peninsulas and plan to purchase a new home, check out our list of best
places to own a home in Michigan.

NerdWallet analyzed all the Michigan places with more than
10,000 residents to determine which have characteristics that are favorable to
homebuyers. Our analysis answers three main questions:

1.
Are homes available? We looked at the area’s homeownership rate to determine
the availability of homes. A low homeownership rate is likely a signal of
competitive inventory, more options for renters rather than buyers and
expensive housing. Areas with a high homeownership rate led to a higher overall
score.

2.
Can you afford to live there? We looked at median
household income, monthly homeowner costs and median home value to assess
affordability and determine whether residents could live comfortably in the
area. We used monthly homeowner costs to measure cost of living. Areas with
high median incomes and low cost of living scored higher. Thinking of buying a
home yourself? Learn more about current mortgage rates and mortgage
refinancing options in our mortgage guide, as well as whether it’s best
to rent or buy.

3.
Is the area growing? We measured population growth to ensure that the area is
attracting new residents and showing signs of solid growth. This is likely a
signal of a robust local economy, which is another attractive characteristic
for homebuyers.

For more details on our methodology, please see the
“Methodology” section at the end of the report.

This Macomb County city is about 36 miles northeast of Detroit,
the state’s largest city, and about 15 miles from the Canadian border. This
well-established waterfront community beside Anchor Bay offers affordable
monthly homeownership costs at just 25.6% of median monthly household income.
New Baltimore has an 82.8% homeownership rate and a median home value of
$171,800. According to U.S. Census figures, the population increased by 4.9%
between 2010 and 2012, the highest rate of growth on our list. Each June, New
Baltimore residents rally around the FishFly Festival, a perennial summer
favorite featuring a parade, the Miss Bay-Rama pageant, a cardboard boat
regatta and more. Throughout the year, children and adults alike enjoy programs
at the MacDonald Public Library. The Anchor Bay Community Foundation presents
several grants that benefit New Baltimore, and the Anchor Bay Chamber of
Commerce works to unite business interests within Macomb and St. Clair
counties.

2.
Forest Hills

This unincorporated area in Kent County tops our list with an
impressive homeownership rate of 94.9% and homeownership costs—the lowest on
our list—that amount to just 21.3% of the median monthly household income of
$9,215. The area is about 12 miles east of Grand Rapids, the state’s
second-most populous city. The median home value in Forest Hills is $253,100,
the highest on our top 10 list, and between 2010 and 2012 it saw a 3.2% uptick
in population. Residents here take pride in their impressive Fine Arts Center,
which welcomes professional artists, student performances and several special
events. Residents here also enjoy activities and classes at the Forest Hills
Aquatic Center.

3.
Jenison

About 20 miles east from the beaches of Lake Michigan,
unincorporated Jenison has a homeownership rate of 86.8% and homeowner costs
that take up 27.1% of the $4,414 median monthly household income. Two public
school systems and four parochial schools educate Jenison students. The Jenison
Aquatics facility offers water polo and other swimming activities for
residents, and in nearby Hudsonville the Georgetown Ice Center offers hockey
leagues, figure skating and more. Plus, Jenison and the surrounding communities
feature abundant parks and recreational opportunities for those who love the
outdoors. The Grandville Jenison Chamber of Commerce makes it simple to support
local businesses with its “Shop Here” campaign. In addition, the chamber
supports various workshops and seminars to help entrepreneurs.

4.
Lambertville

Lambertville is located about nine miles north of Toledo, Ohio,
and Ann Arbor is only a 40-minute drive north. This unincorporated community
sits in the Bedford Township in Monroe County, with monthly homeownership costs
at 24% of median monthly household income and an 85.6% homeownership rate.
Lambertville’s White Park offers ball fields and hiking trails, and other
recreational options can be found at Parmelee Park, including hiking, tennis
and basketball courts and a skate park. The Maple Grove Golf Club stretches
across state lines and offers two courses. Additional attractions within a
short distance from Lambertville include the Toledo Zoo and the Stranahan
Theater.

5.
East Grand Rapids

Monthly homeownership costs in East Grand Rapids represent just
21.7% of median monthly household income, the second-lowest percentage on our
list. Meanwhile, the 91.2% homeownership rate is the second-highest on our
list. The median home value in this city stands at $248,000, and living here
provides abundant options for fitness enthusiasts or casual exercisers, as the
city maintains multiple parks and trails. Water lovers also take advantage of
the beautiful 283-acre Reeds Lake. Convenient shopping can be found at the
Gaslight Village. And the East Grand Rapids Community Foundation raises funds
for beneficial projects throughout the area, such as the Reeds Lake Trail, a
pedestrian pathway. Each year the city plays host to numerous special events,
including Movies in the Park, the Daddy Daughter Dance and the Mom and Son
Night.

6.
Norton Shores

Norton Shores offers more than six miles of pristine Lake
Michigan real estate and this Muskegon County city is mere minutes from the
shores along the P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, where camping, hiking, skiing and
Michigan’s wondrous dunes await. The city has a homeownership rate of 85.7% and
monthly homeowner costs that take up 30.4% of the median monthly household
income. Norton Shores supports Muskegon Area First, a countywide effort to
attract new businesses to the area. Several options are available for youth
sport opportunities, and every August, residents enjoy an arts and crafts fair.

7.
Holt

This unincorporated area located about a dozen miles southeast
of Lansing, the state capital, has a homeownership rate of 74.5% and
homeownership costs at 31.5% of median monthly household income. Holt’s
location in the Delhi Charter Township means easy commutes for higher
educational pursuits at Michigan State University, Lansing Community College
and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. The area features seven parks that offer
playgrounds, skiing, skating and more. The newest addition is Veterans Memorial
Gardens, which pays tribute to each branch of the nation’s military. Holt also
offers a farmer’s market and the area has sport leagues for all ages.

8.
Northview

About 10 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, Northview sits in the
Plainfield Charter Township, which offers a vibrant park system throughout
36 square miles in Kent County. Unincorporated Northview made our list
with homeownership costs at 30.5% of median monthly household income and a
75.9% homeownership rate. Between 2010 and 2012, the population edged up by
1.8%. Kent County has a housing rehabilitation program that provides deferred
payment loans and grants to homeowners who need help with home improvements.

9.
Cutlerville

Cutlerville, an unincorporated area located about 10 miles south
of Grand Rapids and about seven miles south of the city of Wyoming, has a
homeownership rate of 69.9% and its population increased by 3.2% between 2010
and 2012. Cutlerville residents enjoy plenty of nearby attractions, such as the
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Library & Museum and the John Ball Zoo, all located in Grand Rapids. Plus,
Lake Michigan’s shoreline is just a short drive away.

10.
Allen Park

Allen Park, about 12 miles southwest of Detroit, is
home to the Uniroyal Giant Tire, a known roadside attraction along Interstate
94 that honors the region’s rich automotive roots. The homeownership rate here
is 87.3%, while homeownership costs take up 28.3% of median monthly household
income. The Allen Park Economic Development Department supports the
Neighborhood Enterprise Zone, a government program that upgrades residential
housing, as well as other tax-incentive programs designed to help the community
and attract businesses to the area. Allen Park residents stay fit at the town’s
fitness center, and the city offers a number of parks. Beginning in June, the
popular Allen Park Farmer’s Market will kick off its fifth season, and the 33rd
annual Allen Park Arts & Crafts Street Fair is scheduled for Aug. 1 and 2.

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Rank

City

Nearest
Big City

Home
Ownership Rate

Median
Selected Monthly Homeowner Costs

Median
Monthly Household Income

Homeowner
Costs as a Percentage of Household Income

Median
Home Values

2010-2012
Population Growth

Overall
Score for Home Owners

1

New Baltimore

Detroit

82.8%

$1,697

$6,628

25.6%

$171,800

4.9%

84.5

2

Forest Hills

Grand Rapids

94.9%

$1,964

$9,215

21.3%

$253,100

3.2%

83.6

3

Jenison

Grand Rapids

86.8%

$1,195

$4,414

27.1%

$137,400

1.2%

78.0

4

Lambertville

Toledo, Ohio

85.6%

$1,468

$6,113

24.0%

$172,000

1.5%

77.3

5

East Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids

91.2%

$1,902

$8,753

21.7%

$248,000

0.6%

74.6

6

Norton Shores

Grand Rapids

85.7%

$1,276

$4,191

30.4%

$123,300

0.1%

73.9

7

Holt

Lansing

74.5%

$1,567

$4,967

31.5%

$153,200

2.8%

72.9

8

Northview

Grand Rapids

75.9%

$1,321

$4,333

30.5%

$144,100

1.8%

72.0

9

Cutlerville

Grand Rapids

69.9%

$1,233

$3,457

35.7%

$118,400

3.2%

71.9

10

Allen Park

Detroit

87.3%

$1,334

$4,721

28.3%

$113,900

-1.5%

71.9

11

Allendale

Grand Rapids

63.7%

$1,400

$4,364

32.1%

$160,800

4.4%

70.5

12

Berkley

Detroit

80.1%

$1,478

$5,668

26.1%

$146,000

-0.2%

70.5

13

South Lyon

Ann Arbor

76.6%

$1,694

$4,629

36.6%

$152,200

2.1%

70.3

14

Livonia

Detroit

86.3%

$1,511

$5,751

26.3%

$160,200

-1.3%

70.0

15

St. Clair Shores

Detroit

81.7%

$1,277

$4,361

29.3%

$106,900

-1.2%

69.5

16

Garden City

Detroit

81.8%

$1,310

$4,606

28.4%

$93,400

-2.0%

68.6

17

Beverly Hills

Detroit

88.2%

$2,286

$8,746

26.1%

$273,000

0.1%

68.5

18

Grosse Pointe Woods

Detroit

91.1%

$2,060

$7,293

28.2%

$205,400

-1.8%

68.0

19

Portage

Grand Rapids

70.0%

$1,407

$4,741

29.7%

$152,200

1.1%

66.6

20

Sterling Heights

Detroit

76.2%

$1,521

$4,740

32.1%

$153,600

0.2%

66.4

Methodology

The overall score for each city was derived from each of these
measures:

1.
Homeownership rate made up 33.3% of the total score. A higher rate earned a
higher score. The rate comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey
5-year Estimates for all places in the state, Table DP 04.

2.
Selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of median household income made
up 16.7% of the total score. A lower percentage earned a higher score. Monthly
homeowner costs as a percentage of median household income made up half of the
affordability score. Median household income comes from the U.S. Census
American Community Survey 5-year Estimates for all places in the state, Table
DP 03. Monthly homeowner costs come from the U.S. Census American Community
Survey 5-year Estimates for all places in the state, Table DP 04.

3.
Median home value made up 16.7% of the total score. A lower value earned a
higher score. Median home value made up half of the affordability score. Median
home value comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-year
Estimates for all places in the state, Table DP 04.

4.
Population change from 2010 to 2012 made up 33.3% of the
total score. A higher-percentage change earned a higher score. The 2010
population comes from the 2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for
all places in the state, Table DP 05. The 2012 population data comes from the
2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for all places in the state,
Table DP 05. NerdWallet calculated the percentage change.

Only places with more than 10,000 residents were included in
this analysis.